Michael Vaughan backed Joe Root to continue as England captain in Test cricket despite his side's poor show in ongoing Ashes 2021-22. 

Despite scoring truckloads of runs in Tests for England in 2021, Joe Root’s place in team as a skipper has come under scrutiny. The touring party’s poor show in Australia in ongoing Ashes 2021-22, saw many fans and pundits criticise the skipper. 

Many are of the opinion that Joe Root is not the right man to lead England in Tests as he lacks leadership qualities and made some poor decisions in the ongoing five-Test series in Australia. 

Read Also: ‘Time running out’, Indian cricket fraternity reacts as Pujara, Rahane endure another failure

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Michael Vaughan mentioned Joe Root needs to get a win under his belt as it will give him a clear insight into what his team needs to do to be successful. 

He backed Root to continue captaining the English Test side, saying that he can’t see anyone else doing the job in current circumstances. He added that the right-hander should carry on and lay the foundation for his side to play across the world. 

"If Joe (Root) can get a victory it will give him a clear insight into what this team needs to do to be successful. I hope he carries on. I can't see anyone else doing the job in the circumstances they are in at the moment. 

“It is best if he carries on and lays the foundation for the cricket England need to play across the world. But if he gets a win or two it must not paper over the cracks. Changes still need to happen,” Michael Vaughan wrote. 

Read Also: Steve Smith says Australia surprised with Stuart Broad not playing a bigger part

Michael Vaughan said that England can’t make any excuses as they’ve been performing badly for a long time. He pointed that when initially they were on the decline as a Test team they didn’t see it and were stubborn, thinking that they are the best. 

"I don't want to hear any excuses any more. This has been building for a long time. It is not just because they are in a bio-bubble. This was happening well before COVID-19. Obviously they were on the decline as a Test team but they did not see it or they did not want to admit it. They were stubborn and thought they knew best,” he said. 

Notably, England has lost the Ashes in Australia, trailing 0-3 in the five-Test series. The next match of Ashes 2021-22 will take place on 5th January at SCG. While the fifth and final Test match, a day-night affair, will take place on 14th January at Hobart. 

(Reuters inputs)